Your big, comfy couch
Your favorite sofa could be killing you, and not just because it lures you away from activity: Many sofas, mattresses, and other cushioned furniture are treated with TDCIPP, a flame retardant known to cause cancer (i.e., a carcinogen). TDCIPP was used so frequently prior to 2013 that a study out of Duke University found it in the blood of everyone they tested. It’s also one of ten chemicals most frequently found in household dust, according to this study.
What can you do?
Consider replacing cushioned furniture you purchased prior to 2013, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council—and check furniture labels on any purchases.
And while you’re at it, make sure you aren’t around any of these other causes of cancer.
Your curtains and carpets
Cadmium is a carcinogenic byproduct of cigarette smoke. If you smoke in your house, cadmium and other cigarette smoke by-products may be lurking, especially on soft surfaces such as curtains and carpet—even long after the smell of smoke is gone. There’s even such a thing as third-hand smoke and it’s resistant to even the strongest cleaning products. Here’s where you can learn more about third-hand smoke and its dangers.
What can you do?
Quit smoking—here are 23 tips to kick start kicking the habit—and never allow smoking in your home.
